Vitrified chemically bonded phosphate ceramics for immobilization of radioisotopes
AssigneeUchicago Argonne, LLC
InventorArun S. Wagh
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Abstract
A method of immobilizing a radioisotope and vitrified chemically bonded phosphate ceramic (CBPC) articles formed by the method are described. The method comprises combining a radioisotope-containing material, MgO, a source of phosphate, and optionally, a reducing agent, in water at a temperature of less than 100° C. to form a slurry; curing the slurry to form a solid intermediate CBPC article comprising the radioisotope therefrom; comminuting the intermediate CBPC article, mixing the comminuted material with glass frits, and heating the mixture at a temperature in the range of about 900 to about 1500° C. to form a vitrified CBPC article comprising the radioisotope immobilized therein.
Claims11
A method of immobilizing a radioisotope comprising the steps of:
- (a) combining a radioisotope-containing material, MgO, a source of phosphate, and optionally, a reducing agent, in water at a temperature of less than 100° C. to form a slurry;
- (b) curing the slurry to form an intermediate chemically bonded phosphate ceramic (CBPC) article comprising the waste material therefrom;
- (c) comminuting the intermediate ceramic into fine particles;
- (d) mixing the fine particles of CBPC with borosilicate glass frits;
- and
- (e) heating the mixture resulting from step (d) at a temperature in the range of about 900 to about 1500° C. to form a vitrified CBPC article comprising the radioisotope immobilized therein.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.